Having witnessed Ben Johnson’s coaching firsthand, Bears tight end Colston Loveland now has a blueprint for the high standards expected in the years to come.
Even as a rookie in the NFL, Colston Loveland could clearly see Ben Johnson's coaching style.
The Chicago Bears drafted the tight end with the 10th overall pick out of Michigan. During the early portions of 2025 offseason, Johnson threw everything at starting quarterback Caleb Williams, testing him to see what he could retain.
Loveland revealed on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast with former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan that Williams and Johnson had "good tension" between the two.
The entire offense had to learn the playbook, which Loveland described as "detailed." Johnson and his staff coached every detail with precision, from specific landmarks and pre-snap alignments down to which arm carried the football.
If someone on offense missed an assignment, Johnson wouldn't hold back.
"He's going to let you know," Loveland said. "He'll look at you, go back to the huddle, reset. ..."
Lewan asked Loveland if Johnson calls out players during meetings. Without hesitation, the rookie confirmed it.
Despite an overload of information being thrown at the offense through OTAs and training camp and tough coaching, Loveland felt there was a break through game when he knew the 2025 Bears could be special.
"Yeah, I think it was probably like, as a whole, it was that Raiders game where it was like, 'Alright we have a team that can win these close games,' Loveland said. "You know, where Bears normally in the past were losing those games, but then it was the game after the Dallas game. I think we had four passing touchdowns or something, and it was like, ok, yeah, we could all see this coming together."
The Bears blocked a game-winning field goal attempt to defeat the Raiders, 25-24. The previous week, Williams completed 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns.
After starting the season with two straight losses, the Bears quickly put together a winning steak, securing four-straight victories on the way to an 11-win season and an NFC North title.
Williams played a pivotal role in making that happen. Before the Bears drafted Loveland, he was aware of Williams' talent. However, there is something to witnessing it in person.
"I mean, obviously, I've seen it in college and seen him do it, but to be there first hand and you're running a route, knowing that at any time this thing can open up and it is crazy."
Crazy can also be a good representation for Johnson. He's crazy about the details, but he's also crazy about winning. That's something Loveland also learned about his coach during a memorable first year in the NFL that included plenty of celebratory locker rooms.
"Yeah, at first, it was like, 'Ok, this is what we do. Good, better, best.' But then, boom, you know everyone's hoping on it right away."
With Johnson and Williams heading into year two together, more wins should be on the horizon for Chicago. Loveland has already seen what success looks like and what it takes to achieve it, setting the standard he'll need to carry throughout his NFL career.
